Comedy Central calls it a show for people who hate reality television, those who love it, and those who hate that they love it.  Hosted by the ‘joyfully sadistic' comedian Michael Ian Black, Reality Bites Back is a huge spoof on the reality genre that has plagued the airwaves for the longest time.  It features ten comedians who compete against each other in a series of challenges that parodies the big reality shows.

For instance, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition becomes Extreme Manipulation: House Edition, where contestants have to live with their mom for days.  Rock of Love is transformed to Shock of Love, when the contestants vie for a potential love via a disposable soulmate program.  The Biggest Loser becomes The Biggest Chubby, where the contestants try to gain as much weight as they can.  American Gladiators is parodied as Almost American Gladiators, where the contestants have to wade through the bureaucracy of the green card application process.  The other shows up for some spoofing are Dancing with the Stars (Hunting with the Stars), So You Think You Can Dance (So You Think You Can Dive), The Amazing Race (The Amazing Disgrace), and Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader.

Reality Bites Back is called the most real reality show where real comedians do fake reality stuff to get the chance to bag $50,000 via the ridiculously themed challenges.  Host Michael Ian Black says he combines the rugged individualism of Jeff Probst, the silk blouses of Julie Chen, and the unabashed gayness of Ryan Seacrest.

The contestants, meanwhile, belong to the ranks of seasoned comedy veterans and up-and-coming ones from across the U.S. who will do anything for cash and glory regardless of the consequences or the bruises to their ego.  The notable ones include the voice of Sheen from Jimmy Neutron, a son of hippies, a Last Comic Standing finalist, a Chappelle's Show regular, and Fresh Baked Video Games host.

Reality Bites Back premieres on Thursday, July 17 at 10:30pm on Comedy Central.

-Glenn Diaz, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: Comedy Central
(Image Courtesy of Comedy Central)